Barbara Melby and Kathy Starks.

Owego Free Academy
AP Chem/Chemistry
Instructors: Barb Melby, Kathy Starks

Curriculum Goals
Chemistry:

Students will be able to analyze at the molecular level
Students will understand the role of chemicals in their everyday lives

Information Literacy:

Students will be able to decode product packaging for hidden messages
Students will be able to decode advertising


Learning Activities
This will be a multi-day activity, haven't determined yet how the days will specifically break down

Students will:
1. Pick a household cleaning product

2. Analyse the packaging (color, "creatures" on the packaging (i.e. scrubbing bubbles), text size, etc.)

3. Analyse its advertising (instructors will model this process)

4. List active ingredients
esp. those that are harmful--list health effects (see MSDS sheets online)

5. Test pH, solubility in water, flammability (if safe!!), toxicity relative to "bacteria cultures"

6. Report out findings about the product, including message provided by packaging and advertising.

Extra Credit
7. Create a new, more informative commercial